Torsion bar removal with factory shark fin rock guard

[Traffic]

Long time listener, first time caller. Any tips for removing the rear torsion bars with a factory shark fin?

The cap for the torsion springs is behind the fin. It seems like the car has been repainted with the fin masked off (left in place).

Short of repainting the car and applying a new rock guard, is it possible to pull it out of the way so the torsion bars can be removed? Not sure how these were bonded to the car from the factory.

Thanks!

[safe]

Cut around the cover with a scalpel, there is a rubber gasket/molding between the cover and body.

[Traffic]

So, cut the cap out, and then adhere a new fin over the old one?

[gled49]

We use to peel back the vinyl far enough to work, then carefully put it back.

[safe]

Originally Posted by Traffic

So, cut the cap out, and then adhere a new fin over the old one?

Nah,why do that. Cut in the middle of the rubber molding, you should be able to fold the vinyl under the rubber on assembly.

[Traffic]

Originally Posted by gled49

We use to peel back the vinyl far enough to work, then carefully put it back.

That's helpful. Thanks. Did you have to apply any kind of adhesive to get it to re-stick?

[boyt911sc]

Traffic,

You need to remove the following to get access to the TB hole cover

• Remove the rubber side molding.
• Remove the metal trim with 5 metal screws that holds the rubber molding.
• Finally, the TB cover plate is now accessible under the vinyl stone guard protector. Someone suggested to use a scalpel. Carefully cut around the perimeter of the cover plate and remove the metal bar behind it.

Tony

[Mike Andrew]

Heat gun to carefully loosen the stone guard enough to move it out of the way to gain access to the cover? Spray trim adhesive to glue it back in place when you are finished? Or remove it completely and replace it; not terribly expensive.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Mike Andrew

Heat gun to carefully loosen the stone guard enough to move it out of the way to gain access to the cover? Spray trim adhesive to glue it back in place when you are finished? Or remove it completely and replace it; not terribly expensive.

This. Remove the rubber side trim, heat gun and peel off the old rock guards, and trash them. Do, the t-bar work, apply new rock guards. Put back on the rubber trim. That can be tricky. I cleaned all the dirt and road crud out, and wet the rubber edges with WD-40. It slides right into place. Done.

[Traffic]

Originally Posted by Mike Andrew

Heat gun to carefully loosen the stone guard enough to move it out of the way to gain access to the cover? Spray trim adhesive to glue it back in place when you are finished? Or remove it completely and replace it; not terribly expensive.

Thanks, I'll try to move it out of the way. My concern is that, because the car was previously painted with the stone guards on, it'd be almost impossible to get new ones in place without some paint work. Things never match up exactly.

Not sure where cutting the caps out would accomplish anything other than having a ragged circle where the stone guard doesn't adhere well to the body or the cap.

[911obgyn]

Carefully cut?

[GH85Carrera]

If in doubt, talk to a local vinyl shop that wraps cars. Buy a set of new rock chip guards, and bring them with you. It should be pretty easy to align the new stickers in place. They spray a soapy liquid on the fender and can position the sticker precisely, and squeegee the fluid out.

It is amazing a pant shop did not peel the stickers before painting your car.

[rumlyne]

someone had masked and painted around mine. If you peel the old one off,
good luck finding one that will fit your new paint line.

[GH85Carrera]

Once again, go to a vinyl shop with the car. Show them the issue. They can cut a new one to any size and shape from a similar material. If necessary, go to a sign shop. They can make one for you.